Government to launch a portal to facilitate setting up new businesses

NEW DELHI: The government is in the process of launching a portal that will provide entrepreneurs the opportunity to apply for all clearances to start a business at the click of a mouse.

Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jyotiraditya Scindia said in all, around 57 approvals from authorities ranging from municipalities, state government agencies and the Centre are required to commence a business.

"...the number offices and number of doors he (a new entrepreneur) has to bang to be able to get his business process approved.

"So we are setting up a single vertical (E-Biz portal) where any entrepreneur can login for all the approvals he requires and within a time oriented process," Scindia said here at a CII function.

The e-biz portal would also deal with export and import related registrations, he said.

"We are putting in place many KPIs (key performance indicators) and if government official do not abide by those KPIs, that approval have been deemed to be given," Scindia said.

India has climbed up seven notches in the IFC-World Bank's "Doing Business Index" indicating market improvement in the business environment, though its ranking remained well below those of the neighbours like Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

India has been placed at 132nd position, up from 139th in previous year, in the Index prepared by the International Finance Corporation and the World Bank in 2011.

The report takes into account regulatory changes in 183 countries for starting and doing business by local firms.

The minister said the National Manufacturing Policy (NMP) would also help businesses to get fast and timely approvals.

On performance of India's exporters, he said new markets like Latin America and Africa are now contributing more in boosting the shipments. "The new markets have delivered and they will continue to do that," he added.

Braving slowdown in the US and Europe, India's exports has crossed $ 300 billion in 2011-12.

However, rising import bill pushed by high crude oil prices and the country's obsession with bullion sent the trade deficit soaring to $ 185 billion during the period.

Scindia also presented CII Woman Exemplary Awards on the occasion.

Loukrakpam Indrani Devi (micro enterprises), Babai Sathe (health and sanitation) and Laxmi Dey (outstanding service as a volunteer on child protection and education) received the awards.